Maligning mail

I have read the e-mails circulating on the Internet about Khojeste Mistree and his reply. It is indeed unfortunate that such e-mails are circulating in the run-up to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) elections. I strongly condemn this and request people not to forward such hate mail when they receive it unless they have proof that the contents are true. One may disagree with Mistree’s views on religion, as I do, and may also disapprove many of his actions, but let us not lose our dignity by endorsing such personal attacks.

Criticism of Mistree is justified as he is, in his own words, "a public figure,” but criticism should be confined to his interpretation (or misinterpretation!) of our scriptures, or his misguiding people about issues like conversion — not about his personal life. It would be more appropriate and relevant if the views expressed by the late High Priest (Dr) H. Mirza about Mistree’s scholarship in The Bombay Samachar some time back are circulated and Mistree is obliged to reply to the charges, which to the best of my knowledge he has not done (though I may be mistaken).

I would however remind Mistree that his organization, the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ), has been indulging in similar dirty tricks, publishing false stories and indulging in character assassination of those who disagree with their views in the advertisement page which appeared formerly in the Afternoon Despatch and Courier and now appears in the Free Press Journal. I was a victim of such false and malicious allegations, to which I have replied, but WAPIZ has sent me neither acknowledgement nor apology! Dinshaw Tamboly, Berjis Desai and many others have been similarly maligned. Now perhaps Mistree will realize how it feels to be at the receiving end and will hopefully stop indulging in such activities.

JAMSHEED KANGA

jgkanga@vsnl.net